SOUTH BAY JUDO

Wilson Park - Dee Hardison Center

2400 Jefferson St. Torrance, CA 90501

424-392-4732

"He who fears loss, has already been beaten."

Dr. Jigoro Kano

"It is not important to be better than someone else, but to be better than yesterday."

Dr. Jigoro Kano

"He who fears loss, has already been beaten." ✦ Dr. Jigoro Kano ✦ "It is not important to be better than someone else, but to be better than yesterday." ✦ Dr. Jigoro Kano ✦



schedule

We offer judo classes 4 times a year, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall judo sessions and each session we have 3 classes on Tues & Thurs.

 

2024 CLASS TIMES & SCHEDULE - TUES & THURS:

> CLASS 1: 5 to 6:15 pm - Juniors (5 to 12 years old) - New Students & Returning Students 

> CLASS 2: 6:30 to 7:45 pm - Juniors (5 to 14 years old) -  New Students & Returning Students 

> CLASS 3: 8 to 9:15 pm - Older Youths & Adults (13+) - New Students & Returning Students

 

2024 CLASS SESSIONS DATES:

​> 1st Quarter Winter Session - Jan 9 to Mar 26 

> 2nd Quarter Spring Session - Mar 28 to May 30 

> 3rd Quarter Summer Session - June 4 to Aug 6

> 4th Quarter Fall Session - Aug 20 to Oct 22

 

Meet the instructors

Milton Shiosaki

Head Instructor - 5th Degree Black Belt

 Sensei Milton has been teaching judo for over 40 years and coaches our competitors in local, state and national events.  He is the lead instructor coordinating the SBJ judo program, competition training and our program's fundamentals and values of judo.  He is also Safe Sport, CDC Concussion and First Aid/CPR certified. Membership - USJF and USA Judo. Coaches Certification - USA Judo

Ed Shiosaki

Head Advisor and Club Administrator - 6th Degree Black Belt

 Founder of South Bay Judo in 1999, Sensei Ed has over 45 years of experience in Judo.  He has coached and developed numerous national and international champions.  He is safe sport certified including CDC Concussion certified, First Aid / CPR certified. Membership - USJF & USA Judo.   Coaches Certification - USA Judo.

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS

  • Jeffrey Tejero

  • You Matsutani

    Shane Shiosaki

    Craig Shiosaki

    Alan Honda

    John Hernandez

  • Yuko Felde

    David Honda

    Myles Honda

    Machiko Matsutani

    Maria Matsutani

    Marina Matsutani

  • Joan Shiosaki

    Sandy Honda

    Matt Sawada

    Chris Williams

    Nancy Williams

  • Cheyenne Fu

    Mark Williams

  • Romeo Sangdee-Takeuchi

  • Luis Vazquez

  • Dan Alef - 5th Degree Black Belt

    Valerio Iottie (Italy) - 2nd Degree Black Belt

History of judo

What is Judo?

Judo is a popular sport practiced world wide.  It has seen a rise in mainstream martial arts with the recent success of Judoka Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison  in the UFC.  

In 1882, Judo was founded by Professor Jigoro Kano in Japan.   He combined the different techniques he had learned in Jujitsu, omitting some of the more dangerous techniques to form the Olympic sport of Judo.

Judo meaning "the gentle way," uses techniques focused on using a persons natural movement and balance against themselves.  Judo provides an excellent physical workout that increases stamina, strength, and endurance while also increasing mental sharpness and self-confidence.

Judokas learn to fall and be thrown safely.  They will also learn to throw and take down their opponents and transition to ground work and pins.  As judokas progress they will learn more advanced techniques to include chokes and arm-locks.   

 Judo is often used to cross-train between wrestling, soccer, football and other sports.

History of South Bay Judo… The Beginning

South Bay Judo was founded in the Fall of 1999 on September 27.  Working with the City of Torrance and with the encouragement of the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and Parks and Recreation, we began our first class with 4 instructors and 8 students. By the end of that session, our class had grown to 17 members. That was the beginning. We practiced on gymnastic mats that could only be attached on two sides and it was way too soft for judo, but looking back ..... they served us well.

We were limited in what we could teach, but most importantly ...... we had fun!

 A few years later, we bought NEW TATAMI mats! Due to the success of our Super Bowl fundraiser, we were able to purchase 72 -1 meter x 1 meter mats (approximately 3' x 3').  This was possible due to all our members, friends, sponsors, businesses in the community and supporters from other judo clubs. Thank you. 

 Since then, club has grown to over 100 members strong. We moved from the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and now have our DOJO at the Dee Hardison Sports Complex, Wilson Park Gym.

Awards

2023 Outstanding Judoka of the Year Award

Enzo Sakaguchi - He demonstrates the qualities that exemplifies what we at South Bay Judo try to instill in our students. He is always there and willing to help his peers, and the sensei's. He arrives early and respectfully bows to each instructor and proceeds to set up the mats. His cheerful demeaner and practice ethics are sincere. He is quick to mentor anyone who needs help.   His kindness and respectful attitude are displayed wherever he goes.  Congratulations Enzo!

2023 Most Improved – Meina Nagai

2023 Fighting Spirit – William Tsujimura & Edmund Lo

2023 Inspirational – Tumen Gantsooj

2023 Senseis – Mark Williams

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? let’s chat.